A Not So Indecent Proposal for Ssuymiya!
Title: A Not So Indecent Proposal
Author: willowscry
Recipient: ssumiya
Pairing/Characters: Mitsuya Akuto/Yanagi Renji, Inui Sadaharu
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Some frank talk about sex, but no actual graphic depictions
Disclaimer: I do not own the tennis boys, nor would I want to (though I would like Konomi-sensei’s income….)
Summary: Misinformation leads to a somewhat embarrassing offer, and Renji angsts then gets his eyes opened (not literally, unfortunately, unless you want to pretend at some point during the story that happened J)
Notes: Ms. Ssumiya, you were a tough cookie to write for. I’d hoped to write for you in previous rounds, but this year’s seemed a bit more difficult. I hope this will be an enjoyable work for you after all the angst I put into it, along with bouncing ideas around with others. And yes, the identity of Inui’s new boyfriend is a secret…or rather, it’s up to the reader. ;)
It was a late fall evening. Leaves were turning and crunching under people’s feet. The cool air was making Yanagi Renji consider staying home, but he had been invited out on a date. The mysterious invitation had been from an anonymous person, but he had a pretty good idea of who may have sent it.
Yanagi took a seat at the restaurant that was indicated in the invitation, and waited for about twenty minutes before another person joined him. He looked up in slight surprise.
“I must admit, I was not expecting you, Sadaharu.” Inui Sadaharu sat down across from him.
“I got an anonymous invitation asking me to join someone here....” He trailed off.
“Well, either someone is trying to get us back together, or there was some mix up.”
“I can’t imagine why.” Inui said, quickly motioning over a waiter so he could get a drink. “Haven’t we been through this before?” He asked, taking a sip of water.
Yanagi smiled softly. “‘You know I would not have asked you here for reasons such as that. We long ago learned our lesson.”
Inui nodded to that. “Friends, not lovers.” He paused for a moment. “Don’t you miss it even just a little?”
“I suppose I’d be lying if I said I didn’t, but....” Yanagi shook his head.
“I understand.” Inui responded. “So have you found anyone new to date?”
“No, it doesn’t seem worth the effort.” Renji sighed. “So, if I’m here, and you’re here, who arranged for this meeting?”
“You haven’t figured that out yet, Renji?” A new voice asked as a man almost as tall as Inui, with long dirty blonde hair pulled back into a loose ponytail sat down across from the two.
Renji looked up at the new person and was surprised to see a friend from even before he had met Inui Sadaharu. “Akuto-nii-san!” He said, a hint of confusion in his voice.
“Mitusya-san.” Inui greeted him. Akuto nodded in acknowledgement to the greeting. “Might I ask why you asked both of us here?” Inui’s voice held a slight edge to it. He had never fully trusted this man since his first encounter with this old friend of a friend back when he and Renji were still in middle school.
Akuto chuckled a little. “Straight to the point. I like that.” He said, but was interrupted by the waiter. The conversation paused as they placed their orders, and a pregnant pause hung in the air before anyone spoke again.
“Well… I admit, I’m curious myself, why did you ask us here?” Renji asked, sitting back.
“Well, I got to thinking the other day,” Akuto began. “I was thinking about people I’ve met so far in my life, and somehow realized…” He paused to sigh. “I realized I was attracted to some of them, and never said anything. And I’m here to correct that.”
This just garnered two pairs of raised eyebrows from the younger men. Akuto laughed a little. “And, well, I had heard you two were together, which makes this even more awkward… I’d like to offer an “Indecent Proposal” type deal to you, Inui-kun.”
Both Renji and Inui laughed at this. It was ludicrous because his information was out of date, it was funny that he would even consider offering Inui anything for a night with Renji, and the absurdity of the situation in general.
Inui coughed, calming down first. Renji was still laughing in short bursts, but Inui was the one that spoke first. “I’m not sure where you got your information, but Renji and I broke off our romantic relationship over three months ago.”
Akuto sat back, looking surprised, and now a bit embarrassed. “I… didn’t realize.” He turned to Renji. “I hope that wasn’t too embarrassing.” Akuto coughed to clear his throat. “Have you found someone, or are you still single?”
“I must say, I’m flattered by the idea, but I would say I would have passed on it.” Renji said, taking a sip of water. “Though yes, I am currently single and available. I just don’t know if I could go out with you.”
“Why not?” Akuto asked, genuinely interested in why he was getting shot down before even really being given a chance.
“I still look up to you. I don’t idolize you like I used to, but I still have a bit of that feeling of worship for someone that taught me a new skill. I just don’t think there is a way that I could see you as an equal, and I don’t want you looking at me as someone who still needs that kind of guidance. I want to be able to be open and honest, and I just can’t see myself being that way around you.” Renji started explaining, interrupted this time by the delivery of their meals.
The conversation died down as they ate. Akuto mused on what Renji had said, Inui still trying to figure why he was still there (other than the food was at least pretty good), and Renji contemplated adding more to his reasons for not wanting to date this older man that had taught him much about data tennis and had taken him under his wing, so to speak. Even though none of them were in school anymore and had separate lives of their own, Renji just couldn’t imagine a future that included Akuto. It was one of the other reasons he had broken things off with Inui. Renji just had trouble seeing his future including another person beside him. He knew ‘normal’ people wanted a mate to spend their lives with, but every time someone got too serious, Renji knew he would just end up running away. It wasn’t for his own good, it was to not hurt the other party.
The three sat at the table quietly as they waited for the check. It wasn’t an entirely awkward silence, but something strange was lurking in the air.
“I’ll pay the check, since I invited you.” Akuto said, grabbing it before anyone else could. Inui just nodded, and Renji didn’t react at all as he was still reflecting quietly.
Inui cleared his throat. “I have to ask, it’s obvious you find Renji attractive, and apparently a lot of people do as well, including myself. I take it I don’t quite fit your attractiveness criteria?”
Akuto laughed. “Well, I have to admit, if you two were still together, I might have offered to jump in bed with both of you. You aren’t bad looking, Inui-kun, I’m just afraid that our glasses would get mixed up at some point.” He smiled at Inui, chuckling a little.
Renji snapped up suddenly. He was about to say something, but realized they were in a public place. “Akuto-nii-san… could we talk in private?” Inui and Akuto both looked at him.
“Would you walk home with me?” Akuto asked. Renji nodded. Akuto headed off to the pay the check as Renji stood up and donned his jacket.
“Are you sure that is a good idea?” Inui asked, suddenly concerned.
“It may not be a good idea, but at least I can talk to him without a ton of people hearing what I need to ask him.” Renji answered, heading for the door. Inui frowned at that answer.
“Let me know what happens.”
“Sadaharu, nothing is going to happen. And in case you forgot, I am not your boyfriend any longer.”
“But you are still my friend.” Inui pointed out. “And I care about you. I just don’t trust him…”
“You’ve told me this before, Sadaharu, but I can assure you I’ll be fine.” Renji reassured him one more time and clasped Inui’s shoulder before catching up to Akuto.
It was an easy trot to catch up to Akuto. Renji walked next to him in silence for a few minutes. A little sigh escaped from Renji’s mouth. “I know what I said back there, but what you said to Sadaharu… Is this about relationships, or is it about sex?” Sometimes, perhaps the direct approach was the best.
Akuto didn’t answer immediately. He pushed his glasses up on his nose (Renji had to wonder why every person that wears glasses does that? Do they have some kind of secret signal that only people that wear glasses knows about that you only learn once you get a pair from the eye doctor and you have to sign a paper stating that you will not share the code with people that can see normally? Or is it that of everyone Renji knows that wears glasses just doesn’t have them adjusted well?)
“That’s a loaded question, Renji.” Akuto admitted. “Short term, I suppose it’s more about sex, but I would like to see a long term as well.” He chuckled.
“Would you really have paid Sadaharu for a night with me, if we were still together?”
“Possibly.” Akuto admitted, and stopped walking and turned to Renji. “Would you have refused?”
“The money, or what was implied being offered?” Renji asked, feeling a bit awkward standing on the cold sidewalk.
“Either.”
“Yes, I would have refused.” Renji said, stepping past him. Akuto caught his arm.
“Stay with me tonight. We don’t have to do anything. I… don’t want to be alone.” Akuto cracked out.
“You’re giving off an air of desperation.” Renji said, but softened a little. He stepped closer. “No one wants to be alone. Some of us choose to be alone so we don’t hurt others.”
“By that logic, we each could choose to not be alone, at least for one night.” Akuto pointed out, closing the distance between himself and Renji and capturing Renji’s lips in a soft, lingering kiss. He pulled back, his eyes glimmering behind his glasses with a shred of hope.
Renji looked torn. He had promised himself, and Inui, that he wasn’t going to let anything happen to him. He didn’t want to be hurt. He didn’t want to hurt Akuto’s feelings. Would it hurt to give it a chance?
“Stop trying to spare everyone. There comes a time when you must realize you have too much data and need to pare it down. Or your data on multiple subjects starts overlapping and takes over more than one area of your life.” Akuto said, caressing Renji’s cheek. “How many people have you let go because you thought you were going to hurt them?”
Renji stood there, trying to think how many people he had done that too. Akuto frowned. “If you have to think about it, it’s been too many.” He took Renji’s hand and led him up to an old apartment building and to the door of his apartment. “It’s small, but it’s home.” He said. “You can stay since it’s late, there’s the couch.” He pointed off to the left.
Renji started walking towards it, then stopped. “Actually… I think I’d like to be with you.”
In the morning, Renji’s cell phone buzzed rather insistently. He sleepily picked it up and glanced at the screen. It was full of texts from Inui. Then he read some of the messages, and frowned. They didn’t sound anything like the Inui Sadaharu he knew, but it was definitely his number.
Sadaharu, stop having your current boyfriend text me. It’s annoying. Also, I’ll call and tell you all about last night. It’s a long story, so I hope you’ve charged your phone.
TELL ME!!!!
Now Renji definitely knew it wasn’t Sadaharu that had his phone.
No. None of your business. Let me know when Sadaharu has his phone back.
“Who are you texting so early in the morning?” Akuto asked, snuggling a bit closer.
“Not Sadaharu.” Renji grumbled. “The tone is all wrong for him. I have a suspicion though…” Renji turned toward Akuto. “Thank you. Perhaps you’ve convinced me that I’d been over thinking things for a while now.”
“How many exes do you have, if I might ask?” Renji sat back and thought about it for a moment.
“Of the ones that got to the ‘too serious’ point, four. I’ve dated more people than that though, it just didn’t get that far because I just knew they were wrong for me.” Renji answered
“Well, I’d be happy if you’d give us a chance.” Akuto told him. “Just one thing though….” He slid close to Renji’s ear. “Drop the ‘nii-san’ from now on.” He murmured, then playfully nipped Renji’s ear.
“I’ll try. Old habits may be hard to break.” Renji warned.
“We can work on that… together.” Akuto smiled at him. “I’m just happy to have the chance, and glad that I didn’t end up making a total fool of myself.”
Renji got a bit of an evil smirk on his face. “What if someone, like Atobe, that has millions sitting around made you an offer like that, would you take it?”
“A gentleman would not answer such a question.” Akuto smirked.
“You would, then.” Renji said with some certainty. “It’s nice to know you’re actually worth something.”
* * * * *
“Honestly, Sadaharu, nothing happened. We just talked…and talked, and talked, and brought out the psychology textbooks.”
“Are you sure that’s all that happened?”
“For the sixth time, yes, that’s all that happened. We slept in the same bed, but nothing sexual happened, if you were worried about that, even though my sex life Is none of your business anymore.” Renji rolled his eyes. He was so glad they were talking on the phone so Inui couldn’t see that.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Renji. I know how things can just happen…”
“Speaking of, your new boyfriend is annoying. I also have reasons to believe it may be someone I may have gone to school with, judging from the texts they were sending me.”
“It’s a secret. For now, anyway.” Inui just had that tone of voice that said he was smirking. “I’ll make you a deal. If you’re still with Mitsuya, oh, let’s give it three months, and I’m still with him, then I’ll tell you.”
“You’re dating Akaya.”
“Give me a bit more credit than that, Renji. I probably won’t tell you if you’re right or wrong though.” Inui laughed. “Three months.” Inui disconnected, and left Renji sitting there, looking at his phone in confusion. Did that really just happen? He shrugged. It didn’t matter to him, and it would give him time to sort out the confused feelings he had towards Akuto. He would try. He would not run away from another relationship. This would be stable, this would be an equal partnership, Yanagi Renji was not going to let another relationship fail because of his own fear of being happy.
Author: willowscry
Recipient: ssumiya
Pairing/Characters: Mitsuya Akuto/Yanagi Renji, Inui Sadaharu
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Some frank talk about sex, but no actual graphic depictions
Disclaimer: I do not own the tennis boys, nor would I want to (though I would like Konomi-sensei’s income….)
Summary: Misinformation leads to a somewhat embarrassing offer, and Renji angsts then gets his eyes opened (not literally, unfortunately, unless you want to pretend at some point during the story that happened J)
Notes: Ms. Ssumiya, you were a tough cookie to write for. I’d hoped to write for you in previous rounds, but this year’s seemed a bit more difficult. I hope this will be an enjoyable work for you after all the angst I put into it, along with bouncing ideas around with others. And yes, the identity of Inui’s new boyfriend is a secret…or rather, it’s up to the reader. ;)
It was a late fall evening. Leaves were turning and crunching under people’s feet. The cool air was making Yanagi Renji consider staying home, but he had been invited out on a date. The mysterious invitation had been from an anonymous person, but he had a pretty good idea of who may have sent it.
Yanagi took a seat at the restaurant that was indicated in the invitation, and waited for about twenty minutes before another person joined him. He looked up in slight surprise.
“I must admit, I was not expecting you, Sadaharu.” Inui Sadaharu sat down across from him.
“I got an anonymous invitation asking me to join someone here....” He trailed off.
“Well, either someone is trying to get us back together, or there was some mix up.”
“I can’t imagine why.” Inui said, quickly motioning over a waiter so he could get a drink. “Haven’t we been through this before?” He asked, taking a sip of water.
Yanagi smiled softly. “‘You know I would not have asked you here for reasons such as that. We long ago learned our lesson.”
Inui nodded to that. “Friends, not lovers.” He paused for a moment. “Don’t you miss it even just a little?”
“I suppose I’d be lying if I said I didn’t, but....” Yanagi shook his head.
“I understand.” Inui responded. “So have you found anyone new to date?”
“No, it doesn’t seem worth the effort.” Renji sighed. “So, if I’m here, and you’re here, who arranged for this meeting?”
“You haven’t figured that out yet, Renji?” A new voice asked as a man almost as tall as Inui, with long dirty blonde hair pulled back into a loose ponytail sat down across from the two.
Renji looked up at the new person and was surprised to see a friend from even before he had met Inui Sadaharu. “Akuto-nii-san!” He said, a hint of confusion in his voice.
“Mitusya-san.” Inui greeted him. Akuto nodded in acknowledgement to the greeting. “Might I ask why you asked both of us here?” Inui’s voice held a slight edge to it. He had never fully trusted this man since his first encounter with this old friend of a friend back when he and Renji were still in middle school.
Akuto chuckled a little. “Straight to the point. I like that.” He said, but was interrupted by the waiter. The conversation paused as they placed their orders, and a pregnant pause hung in the air before anyone spoke again.
“Well… I admit, I’m curious myself, why did you ask us here?” Renji asked, sitting back.
“Well, I got to thinking the other day,” Akuto began. “I was thinking about people I’ve met so far in my life, and somehow realized…” He paused to sigh. “I realized I was attracted to some of them, and never said anything. And I’m here to correct that.”
This just garnered two pairs of raised eyebrows from the younger men. Akuto laughed a little. “And, well, I had heard you two were together, which makes this even more awkward… I’d like to offer an “Indecent Proposal” type deal to you, Inui-kun.”
Both Renji and Inui laughed at this. It was ludicrous because his information was out of date, it was funny that he would even consider offering Inui anything for a night with Renji, and the absurdity of the situation in general.
Inui coughed, calming down first. Renji was still laughing in short bursts, but Inui was the one that spoke first. “I’m not sure where you got your information, but Renji and I broke off our romantic relationship over three months ago.”
Akuto sat back, looking surprised, and now a bit embarrassed. “I… didn’t realize.” He turned to Renji. “I hope that wasn’t too embarrassing.” Akuto coughed to clear his throat. “Have you found someone, or are you still single?”
“I must say, I’m flattered by the idea, but I would say I would have passed on it.” Renji said, taking a sip of water. “Though yes, I am currently single and available. I just don’t know if I could go out with you.”
“Why not?” Akuto asked, genuinely interested in why he was getting shot down before even really being given a chance.
“I still look up to you. I don’t idolize you like I used to, but I still have a bit of that feeling of worship for someone that taught me a new skill. I just don’t think there is a way that I could see you as an equal, and I don’t want you looking at me as someone who still needs that kind of guidance. I want to be able to be open and honest, and I just can’t see myself being that way around you.” Renji started explaining, interrupted this time by the delivery of their meals.
The conversation died down as they ate. Akuto mused on what Renji had said, Inui still trying to figure why he was still there (other than the food was at least pretty good), and Renji contemplated adding more to his reasons for not wanting to date this older man that had taught him much about data tennis and had taken him under his wing, so to speak. Even though none of them were in school anymore and had separate lives of their own, Renji just couldn’t imagine a future that included Akuto. It was one of the other reasons he had broken things off with Inui. Renji just had trouble seeing his future including another person beside him. He knew ‘normal’ people wanted a mate to spend their lives with, but every time someone got too serious, Renji knew he would just end up running away. It wasn’t for his own good, it was to not hurt the other party.
The three sat at the table quietly as they waited for the check. It wasn’t an entirely awkward silence, but something strange was lurking in the air.
“I’ll pay the check, since I invited you.” Akuto said, grabbing it before anyone else could. Inui just nodded, and Renji didn’t react at all as he was still reflecting quietly.
Inui cleared his throat. “I have to ask, it’s obvious you find Renji attractive, and apparently a lot of people do as well, including myself. I take it I don’t quite fit your attractiveness criteria?”
Akuto laughed. “Well, I have to admit, if you two were still together, I might have offered to jump in bed with both of you. You aren’t bad looking, Inui-kun, I’m just afraid that our glasses would get mixed up at some point.” He smiled at Inui, chuckling a little.
Renji snapped up suddenly. He was about to say something, but realized they were in a public place. “Akuto-nii-san… could we talk in private?” Inui and Akuto both looked at him.
“Would you walk home with me?” Akuto asked. Renji nodded. Akuto headed off to the pay the check as Renji stood up and donned his jacket.
“Are you sure that is a good idea?” Inui asked, suddenly concerned.
“It may not be a good idea, but at least I can talk to him without a ton of people hearing what I need to ask him.” Renji answered, heading for the door. Inui frowned at that answer.
“Let me know what happens.”
“Sadaharu, nothing is going to happen. And in case you forgot, I am not your boyfriend any longer.”
“But you are still my friend.” Inui pointed out. “And I care about you. I just don’t trust him…”
“You’ve told me this before, Sadaharu, but I can assure you I’ll be fine.” Renji reassured him one more time and clasped Inui’s shoulder before catching up to Akuto.
It was an easy trot to catch up to Akuto. Renji walked next to him in silence for a few minutes. A little sigh escaped from Renji’s mouth. “I know what I said back there, but what you said to Sadaharu… Is this about relationships, or is it about sex?” Sometimes, perhaps the direct approach was the best.
Akuto didn’t answer immediately. He pushed his glasses up on his nose (Renji had to wonder why every person that wears glasses does that? Do they have some kind of secret signal that only people that wear glasses knows about that you only learn once you get a pair from the eye doctor and you have to sign a paper stating that you will not share the code with people that can see normally? Or is it that of everyone Renji knows that wears glasses just doesn’t have them adjusted well?)
“That’s a loaded question, Renji.” Akuto admitted. “Short term, I suppose it’s more about sex, but I would like to see a long term as well.” He chuckled.
“Would you really have paid Sadaharu for a night with me, if we were still together?”
“Possibly.” Akuto admitted, and stopped walking and turned to Renji. “Would you have refused?”
“The money, or what was implied being offered?” Renji asked, feeling a bit awkward standing on the cold sidewalk.
“Either.”
“Yes, I would have refused.” Renji said, stepping past him. Akuto caught his arm.
“Stay with me tonight. We don’t have to do anything. I… don’t want to be alone.” Akuto cracked out.
“You’re giving off an air of desperation.” Renji said, but softened a little. He stepped closer. “No one wants to be alone. Some of us choose to be alone so we don’t hurt others.”
“By that logic, we each could choose to not be alone, at least for one night.” Akuto pointed out, closing the distance between himself and Renji and capturing Renji’s lips in a soft, lingering kiss. He pulled back, his eyes glimmering behind his glasses with a shred of hope.
Renji looked torn. He had promised himself, and Inui, that he wasn’t going to let anything happen to him. He didn’t want to be hurt. He didn’t want to hurt Akuto’s feelings. Would it hurt to give it a chance?
“Stop trying to spare everyone. There comes a time when you must realize you have too much data and need to pare it down. Or your data on multiple subjects starts overlapping and takes over more than one area of your life.” Akuto said, caressing Renji’s cheek. “How many people have you let go because you thought you were going to hurt them?”
Renji stood there, trying to think how many people he had done that too. Akuto frowned. “If you have to think about it, it’s been too many.” He took Renji’s hand and led him up to an old apartment building and to the door of his apartment. “It’s small, but it’s home.” He said. “You can stay since it’s late, there’s the couch.” He pointed off to the left.
Renji started walking towards it, then stopped. “Actually… I think I’d like to be with you.”
In the morning, Renji’s cell phone buzzed rather insistently. He sleepily picked it up and glanced at the screen. It was full of texts from Inui. Then he read some of the messages, and frowned. They didn’t sound anything like the Inui Sadaharu he knew, but it was definitely his number.
Sadaharu, stop having your current boyfriend text me. It’s annoying. Also, I’ll call and tell you all about last night. It’s a long story, so I hope you’ve charged your phone.
TELL ME!!!!
Now Renji definitely knew it wasn’t Sadaharu that had his phone.
No. None of your business. Let me know when Sadaharu has his phone back.
“Who are you texting so early in the morning?” Akuto asked, snuggling a bit closer.
“Not Sadaharu.” Renji grumbled. “The tone is all wrong for him. I have a suspicion though…” Renji turned toward Akuto. “Thank you. Perhaps you’ve convinced me that I’d been over thinking things for a while now.”
“How many exes do you have, if I might ask?” Renji sat back and thought about it for a moment.
“Of the ones that got to the ‘too serious’ point, four. I’ve dated more people than that though, it just didn’t get that far because I just knew they were wrong for me.” Renji answered
“Well, I’d be happy if you’d give us a chance.” Akuto told him. “Just one thing though….” He slid close to Renji’s ear. “Drop the ‘nii-san’ from now on.” He murmured, then playfully nipped Renji’s ear.
“I’ll try. Old habits may be hard to break.” Renji warned.
“We can work on that… together.” Akuto smiled at him. “I’m just happy to have the chance, and glad that I didn’t end up making a total fool of myself.”
Renji got a bit of an evil smirk on his face. “What if someone, like Atobe, that has millions sitting around made you an offer like that, would you take it?”
“A gentleman would not answer such a question.” Akuto smirked.
“You would, then.” Renji said with some certainty. “It’s nice to know you’re actually worth something.”
* * * * *
“Honestly, Sadaharu, nothing happened. We just talked…and talked, and talked, and brought out the psychology textbooks.”
“Are you sure that’s all that happened?”
“For the sixth time, yes, that’s all that happened. We slept in the same bed, but nothing sexual happened, if you were worried about that, even though my sex life Is none of your business anymore.” Renji rolled his eyes. He was so glad they were talking on the phone so Inui couldn’t see that.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Renji. I know how things can just happen…”
“Speaking of, your new boyfriend is annoying. I also have reasons to believe it may be someone I may have gone to school with, judging from the texts they were sending me.”
“It’s a secret. For now, anyway.” Inui just had that tone of voice that said he was smirking. “I’ll make you a deal. If you’re still with Mitsuya, oh, let’s give it three months, and I’m still with him, then I’ll tell you.”
“You’re dating Akaya.”
“Give me a bit more credit than that, Renji. I probably won’t tell you if you’re right or wrong though.” Inui laughed. “Three months.” Inui disconnected, and left Renji sitting there, looking at his phone in confusion. Did that really just happen? He shrugged. It didn’t matter to him, and it would give him time to sort out the confused feelings he had towards Akuto. He would try. He would not run away from another relationship. This would be stable, this would be an equal partnership, Yanagi Renji was not going to let another relationship fail because of his own fear of being happy.